Scientific: Tecoma fulva subsp. guarume (Synonyms: Tecoma alata, Tecoma stans 'Orange Jubilee')
Common: orange bells, orange trumpet flower, orange esperanza, cahauto
Family: Bignoniaceae
Origin: Peru and northern Chile
A taxonomic quagmire: There exists significant taxonomic confusion with regards to the correct botanical name for orange bells. Do a web search and you can find a veritable cacophony of "correct" scientific names. For example, Tecoma fulva subsp. guaruma (orange bells) is variously recognized as a hybrid between Tecoma stans and Tecoma alata called Tecoma x 'Burnt Out', Tecoma x alata, Tecoma stans 'Orange Jubilee', or Tecoma x 'Orange Jubilee'. Confused yet? There's more down below....
Pronounciation: Te-CO-ma FUL-av
Hardiness zones
Landscape Use: Used similarly to Tecoma stans as a medium to large floral accent shrub, background screen, specimen around large patios and ramadas exemplifying regional or Spanish architecture; best used in oasis and transition landscape designs settings,
moderately attracts hummingbirds.
Form & Character: Vigorous and upright, open, stiff and rigid, festive, informal, subtropical to tropical.
Though evergreen, winter is a time of quiescence for orange bells.
Growth Habit: Evergreen, woody, broadleaf perennial shrub, moderate growth rate to 10- to 15-feet tall, but can be easily maintained at 5 to 10 feet. Its hardened stems are very brittle and upright developing a crown structure that is more upright and open
than Tecoma stans.
Foliage/Texture: Opposite, odd pinnately-compound leaves on brownish gray stems, leaflets coarsely serrate, stem lenticels and axillary dormant buds are obvious; medium texture.
Flowers & Fruits: Orange trumpet flowers in terminal clusters; long, narrow, unsightly light brown bean pods.
Seasonal Color: Orange flowers during all growing season,
heaviest in spring and fall. In Phoenix, orange bells will not flower during winter
except if it is planted in a warm sunny south exposure.
Temperature: Heat loving, but freeze sensitive. In climates colder than Phoenix, orange bells will freeze to the ground every winter. In Phoenix, orange bells will some have freeze or frost damage to leaves and small terminal stems most winters, but it will recover quickly.
Light: Full sun, partial sun reduces flower frequency and intensity. Grows poorly in shade.
Soil: Tolerant, except high alkalinity will can cause general foliar yellowing.
Watering: Orange bells responds very well to regular water and fertilizer especially during the summer, tolerates only moderate amounts of drought.
Pruning: Prune hard in winter to control height and stiffen upright character.
Propagation: Softwood or semi-hardwood stem cuttings, tissue culture, seed.
Disease and Pests: In the Phoenix area, Texas and phytophthora root rot fungi occasionally cause sudden plant death, usually only in heavy soils with a former agricultural use history. During late summer of good monsoon years, a leaf skeletonizer catepillar will ravage foliage on upper stems primarily. The damage to foliage is short lived and cosmetic, not lethal. Several chemical control strategies are available including a biological spray Bacillus thurengensis; however, given the growth habit of Tecoma and its rapid recovery after pruning, I recommend that one just strongly head back (prune) infested plants and dispose of the damaged leaf and stem material.
Additional comments: This is an intermediate to large accent shrub for moderately large to large landscape spaces. Orange bells like its yellow flowered cousin, Tecoma stans can look sparse during periods of winter cold and high summer heat.
There are many recent cultivated varietal selections in which Tecoma fulva has been hybridized with other Tecoma species, such as Tecoma stans.
A few outstanding examples include:
More on the taxonomic quagmire: There are 14 recognized species of Tecoma, and six recognized subspecies of Tecoma fulva:
Sunset
11-13, 16, 18-28
USDA 8-11 (more cold tolerant than Tecoma stans)
